Hagfish: Welfare in Emerging Korean Aquaculture

Key Welfare Facts

Hagfish are jawless, primitive fish farmed commercially in Korea for their skin (used in leather) and meat.
They have the simplest nervous system of any vertebrate, creating uncertainty about their capacity for welfare-relevant suffering.
Hagfish are kept in extremely high densities in captivity, though they are naturally aggregating in low-oxygen environments.
They are killed by boiling alive in Korean markets, representing a potential welfare concern under precautionary approaches.
Hagfish play important ecological roles as scavengers cleaning deep-sea carcasses, creating ecosystem welfare links.
Research into hagfish neurobiology could clarify whether welfare protections are warranted for this lineage.

Welfare Assessment

Hagfish welfare science is in early stages, but the precautionary principle suggests avoiding unnecessary suffering during farming and slaughter. Supporting research into hagfish neurobiology and applying precautionary handling standards represents responsible welfare consideration for this primitive vertebrate.

What You Can Do

Apply precautionary welfare consideration during hagfish handling and slaughter given vertebrate status
Support research into hagfish neurobiology to clarify welfare protection requirements
Advocate for inclusion of all vertebrate farmed species in welfare regulatory frameworks
Choose hagfish products from operations with documented humane handling protocols where available